Abstract: A printer for printing onto substrates includes a housing that mounts a movable carrier for the substrates such as a compact disc or digital versatile disc. The carrier for the substrate is driven relative to the printhead while printing takes place, and a platen is provided to urge the substrate toward the printhead for printing and to a position to space the substrate from the printhead when raised surface areas of the substrate underlie the printhead. The force applied by the platen can be varied as a function of the position of the substrate as well, in addition the carrier can be driven at a variable speed selected as a function of the length of the line being printed.

Abstract: A label for a component is provided with a continuous color tone background at least in segments of the label that can be detected as to a configuration using selected colored light sources which reflect from the different color tones of the label. A sensor can be used for discriminating between the reflection patterns from the light sources. A continuous color tone on the label changing smoothly from one color to others is applied to make a uniform shading from one color at one end of the label to another color at a second end, with various colors between the two ends. As an added feature, a number of black appearing strips forming a bar code can be provided on the label, with some of the strips reflecting infrared light and others not reflecting infrared light, so an infrared detector can be utilized for determining the pattern of the bar code for further identification of the labeled component. The bar code pattern will not be identifiable with the naked eye.

Abstract: A label printer and cutter combination will print a number of labels on a large sheet that is fed from a sheet tray coupled to the printer. The labels are oriented orthogonally along X-Y axes on the sheet, and once all the labels on the sheet have been printed, a transfer section coupled to the printer changes position and the sheet is fed, with the printed labels on the sheet, into a cutter. The cutter is operated to individually cut the labels and deposit the sheet of properly cut labels onto a storage tray. The printer and the cutter are operated under digital control and can be programmed to accommodate different size labels as well as different size sheets as well as provide signals for controlling related functions of the printer and cutter.

Abstract: A detector assembly for detecting registration marks on a printed sheet when different color printing on different colored sheets is present has a pair of light sources and a light sensor. The light sources are of different colors selected to be complimentary such that one light source or the other will be capable of detecting a substantial range of contrasting registration marks placed on sheets that can be of various colors. Controls are used for selecting the light source that provides an output sensed by a light sensor when passing over the registration marks.

Abstract: A printer providing time coded heating energy applications to printhead resistors to provide variable volmetric densities. Variable densities can also be provided through integrating dithering with the varying of volumetric densities. The printer can provide either one of two kinds of printing technologies by selection.